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Kauaʻi Farmers Markets: The Sunshine Market Schedule, Day by Day Saturday morning in Puhi. White tents line the grass, a farmer cracks a cold coconut with one swing of a machete, and the tables are stacked with apple bananas, sunrise papaya, and greens picked the day before. Somebody’s grill is already going. That’s a Kauaʻi farmers market, and if you know where to look, you can find one almost every day of the week. Island residents call them Sunshine Markets. The name comes from the county’s original farmers only markets, but today it covers just about any market where island growers sell direct. What Changed After Hurricane Lowell If you’ve looked up Kauaʻi farmers markets online, you’ve probably found schedules that don’t match each other. Some are years old. Hurricane Lowell shuffled things again this fall, and a few markets are still getting back on their feet. The schedule bel ow comes from the County of Kauaʻi’s weekly recovery updates and the markets’ own sites, current as of October 2026. Hours can shift, so if you’re driving across the island for one, it’s worth a quick call to the Office of Economic Development at 808.241.4946 first. Monday Start the week on the East Side, right in Līhuʻe. Kukui Grove Pau Hana Market · 3 to 5:30PM · Kukui Grove Center, Līhuʻe Tuesday Coconut Marketplace · 9AM to 1PM · Kapaʻa Wednesday Wednesday is the big one. The Kapaʻa market is the last of the county’s official Sunshine Markets, and it’s farmers only, so the produce is about as fresh as it gets. It also moves fast. Get there right at 3. Kapaʻa Sunshine Market · 3 to 4:30PM · Kapaʻa Beach Park Kauaʻi Culinary Market · 3:30 to 6PM · The Shops at Kukuiʻula, Poʻipū   Thursday Head west for Hale Puna in Waimea. When the Hanapēpē Sunshine Market closed in 2023, its farmers moved here, so West Side regulars will see familiar faces. Coconut Marketplace · 9AM to 1PM · Kapaʻa Hale Puna Farmers Market · 3 to 5PM · Waimea Friday No markets on Fridays right now. Stock up Thursday. Saturday Saturday is the best market day on the island, with options on three coasts. Grove Farm in Puhi is the largest and runs until vendors sell out. On the North Shore, Hanalei opens at 9AM for kūpuna (seniors) before the main crowd arrives. Grove Farm Market · 9:30AM until sold out · Puhi Park, Līhuʻe Anaina Hou Farmers Market · 9AM to 1PM · Kīlauea Hanalei Farmers Market · 9:30AM to noon · Hale Hālawai, Hanalei Sunday Anaina Hou Farmers Market · 10AM to 2PM · Kīlauea The Sunshine Market Story For years, the County of Kauaʻi ran eight Sunshine Markets in towns around the island. They were simple: Kauaʻi farmers, island grown produce, short hours, and a whistle or a rope line at some of them to make sure everyone got a fair start. Over time, private markets grew, farmers aged out, and the county markets closed one by one. Kapaʻa on Wednesday is the last one standing. If a guidebook still sends you to Kōloa, Kalāheo, Kekaha, or Vidinha Stadium, it’s out of date. How to Shop Like an Island Resident A few things that make the trip easier: Bring small bills. Many vendors are cash only. Bring your own bag. Kauaʻi banned plastic checkout bags years ago. Go early. The best produce goes in the first half hour. Try something new. Rambutan, starfruit, apple bananas, and Sugarloaf pineapple are worth the stop on their own. Ask questions. The person behind the table usually grew what’s on it, and most are happy to tell you how to eat it. Mālama ʻĀina Mālama ʻāina means to care for the land. Every dollar you spend at these markets goes straight to the families farming it, and that’s a big part of how Kauaʻi keeps feeding itself. For anyone thinking about making the island home, the weekly market run is one of the first rituals that makes it feel like yours. Thinking About Life on Kauaʻi? Where you live shapes which market becomes your regular. Kapaʻa and Līhuʻe folks have the most options. North Shore families plan around Saturday in Kīlauea and Hanalei. West Side residents have Hale Puna on Thursdays, and the South Shore has Kukuiʻula midweek. If you’re weighing which side of the island fits your life, we’re always happy to talk story. For more information about Kauaʻi real estate, contact Greg Bloss The Bloss Swapp Collective, serving Kauaʻi with The Agency Oahu 808.652.8101 [email protected] From Mauka to Makai

Best Hikes on Kauaʻi: From a One-Hour Climb to an Overnight on the Nāpali Coast Kauaʻi has more hiking than most people expect and more variety than almost any island in the Pacific. You can lace up after breakfast and be on a summit by mid-morning, or pack a tent and spend two days walking the most dramatic coastline in the world. This post gives you the honest overview, a few trails worth knowing, and enough context to match the right hike to your time and ability. Why Kauaʻi Hiking Is Different The Garden Isle earns that name. Nearly seventy percent of the island is inaccessible by road, which means the only way to see much of it is on foot. What you find when you go is a landscape that shifts from dry red canyon to dripping rainforest to sea cliffs dropping straight into deep blue water, sometimes all in the same day. That variety is also what makes planning matter. Trails here are not all groomed and signed like a national park on the mainland. Some are muddy year-round. Some require a permit. A few have creek crossings that become dangerous after rain. We are not saying this to scare anyone off. We are saying it because the people who come prepared have the best time. Do I Need a Permit to Hike on Kauaʻi? It depends on the trail. Most trails on Kauaʻi are free and open without any advance registration. The big exception is the Kalalau Trail beyond Hanakāpīʻai Beach on the Nāpali Coast. To hike past that two-mile mark, you need a permit from the Hawaii Division of State Parks, and those permits go fast. Book as early as the system allows, which is currently thirty days in advance. Camping along the coast requires a separate permit. Check the Hawaii DLNR website for current rules, since availability and booking windows have changed in recent years. What Is the Best Hike on Kauaʻi for Beginners? Sleeping Giant is the answer most locals give, and it holds up. The trail is well-maintained, the climb is manageable, and what you find at the top more than pays for the effort. Nounou Mountain, which is the Hawaiian name for the ridge, sits above Kapaʻa on the East Side and offers 360-degree views across the island and out to the ocean. Four Kauaʻi Hikes Worth Knowing These are not the only trails on the island. Far from it. But they represent the range well, from a morning climb the whole family can do to a coastal traverse that earns its reputation as one of the best hikes in the world. Sleeping Giant (Nounou Mountain) Distance: Approximately 4 miles round trip Difficulty: Moderate Location: Kapaʻa, East Side Sleeping Giant is named for the ridgeline's profile when viewed from the highway, which does look like a large figure lying on its back. There are three trailheads, west, east, and middle, and all three converge near the top. The east trail is the most commonly used and the most straightforward. The last stretch to the true summit is rocky and requires using your hands, so take your time. The views from the top on a clear day are some of the best you will get without a helicopter. You can see from Anahola down to Lihue with the ocean laid out in front of you. Best time to go is early morning before the heat builds and before the trail fills up. This is a popular hike with visitors and residents alike. Moalepe Trail Distance: Approximately 5 miles round trip Difficulty: Easy to Moderate Location: Kapaʻa, East Side interior Moalepe is the trail locals send you to when they want to give you something real and away from the crowds. It runs through the interior of the East Side, moving through open pasture and into dense forest as it climbs toward the Kālepa Ridge. The trail connects to the Powerline Trail at its upper end, giving experienced hikers the option to extend the day significantly. The trailhead is up Olohena Road in Kapaʻa and easy to miss if you are not looking for it. Come on a weekday and you may have the whole trail to yourself. The mud here can be real, especially in the winter months. Waterproof boots are not a bad idea. Māhāʻulepū Heritage Trail Distance: Approximately 3 to 5 miles depending on route Difficulty: Easy Location: Poʻipū, South Shore The Māhāʻulepū Heritage Trail runs along the South Shore coastline east of Poʻipū, covering a stretch of undeveloped shoreline that feels genuinely wild given how close it sits to one of the island's most visited resort areas. The trail passes sea caves, limestone formations, ancient sand dunes, and beaches that most visitors never find. The cultural and geological history along this path is significant, and walking it gives you a very different side of the South Shore than the resort strip suggests. This is a good trail for families with younger kids, older adults, or anyone who wants a coastal walk without serious elevation. No permit required and no fee. Access is through the Hyatt property or from Gillin's Beach, and it is worth noting that access has been a subject of ongoing community discussion, so confirm current conditions before you go. Kalalau Trail, Nāpali Coast Distance: 11 miles one way to Kalalau Valley (22 miles round trip) Difficulty: Strenuous Location: Hāʻena, North Shore There is no way to write about Kauaʻi hiking without talking about the Kalalau Trail. This is the one. Eleven miles of coastline along the Nāpali, moving through valleys that were farmed by Native Hawaiians for centuries and sea cliffs that have no business being as beautiful as they are. Most people who do the full trail camp at Kalalau Beach and return the next day. It is a long day each direction with real elevation gain and sections that require full attention, particularly after rain. If you are not up for the full eleven miles, hike the first two to Hanakāpīʻai Beach. No permit is required for that section, and it gives you a real taste of what the Nāpali looks like from the trail. Beyond Hanakāpīʻai, a permit is required. Book early. This trail is on people's bucket lists from around the world and availability goes quickly. What Should I Bring on a Kauaʻi Hike? Water is the non-negotiable. More than you think you will need. The trade winds can make temperatures feel mild even when the sun is working hard. Sunscreen, reef-safe if you are heading near the water. Good shoes with grip, because Kauaʻi trails get muddy and slippery in ways that flat-soled footwear is not built for. A light rain layer is not a bad idea on the North Shore or in the interior at any time of year. Tell someone where you are going and when you expect to be back. Cell service on this island is not reliable once you get off the main roads.

Where to Eat on Kauaʻi: 10 Restaurants That Cover the Whole Island If you only have time for a handful of meals on Kauaʻi, these are the ten we would point you to. They are not every good restaurant on the island; that list would take a lot longer. What they do is cover the ground: South Shore sunsets, a James Beard Award winning noodle stand, North Shore institutions, and a West Side steakhouse that has not changed in forty years. Wherever you land on the island, one of these is close by. How Did You Pick Just Ten? Kauaʻi has dozens of restaurants worth a visit, and narrowing it down was not easy. We focused on variety over volume: a mix of price points, a mix of regions, and a mix of vibes, so that no matter where you are staying or what kind of night you are looking for, something on this list fits. A few are tourist favorites for good reason. A few are the places locals actually eat. All ten have earned their spot. Do I Need Reservations? For most of these, yes. The South Shore and North Shore dinner spots book up fast, especially around sunset, and a few of these places are small enough that walking in without a reservation means a long wait or no table at all. Hamura Saimin is the exception. It is counter seating, cash only, and walk-in by design. Everywhere else, call ahead. North Shore Hanalei and Kīlauea hold three of our ten, and each one does something different. Bar Acuda — Hanalei Bar Acuda is a tapas style dinner spot in the heart of Hanalei Town, with a menu that leans Mediterranean and Pacific Rim and a real focus on local ingredients. The grilled lamb riblets, fresh fish preparations, and lilikōʻi cheesecake are the dishes that keep people coming back. The space is small and intimate, which is part of the charm and part of the reason you need a reservation. Good For: Tapas style sharing, date night, a proper North Shore evening out Worth Knowing: Reservations are essential given the small space. The sharing format makes it easy to try a lot of the menu in one sitting. Tahiti Nui — Hanalei Tahiti Nui is Hanalei's most famous institution and the closest thing the North Shore has to a community living room. It has been pouring what many call the best Mai Tai on the island for decades, and the Tuesday and Wednesday open buffet with a Hawaiian Luau dinner is a local tradition that has lasted generations. Add in Tahitian and Hawaiian comfort food, strong cocktails, and live music nights, and you have a place where locals and visitors genuinely mix. Good For: Mai Tais, live music, the Luau buffet nights, soaking up Hanalei's local atmosphere Worth Knowing: This is more experience than fine dining. Go for the cocktails and the company. The Bistro — Kīlauea The Bistro has been a North Shore favorite since 1999, set in an open air Hawaiian plantation garden in the historic Kong Lung Village Center near the Kīlauea Lighthouse. The menu is a European and Pacific Rim fusion built on fresh, locally sourced ingredients, including grass fed Hawaii beef, with a strong appetizer list and live music Thursday through Saturday. It is the kind of place both locals and longtime visitors keep coming back to year after year. Good For: A proper sit-down meal on the North Shore, romantic but casual dinners, live music evenings Worth Knowing: Reservations recommended, especially Thursday through Saturday when live music draws a crowd. East Side The drive between Kapaʻa and Līhuʻe is where a lot of the island's everyday dining happens, and where two of our ten restaurants sit. Oasis On The Beach — Kapaʻa Oasis is one of the few restaurants on Kauaʻi situated directly on the beach, inside the Waipouli Beach Resort. It opened in 2010 as one of the island's first true farm to table restaurants and still sources heavily from local farms, ranches, and fishermen. The braised short rib and fresh fish preparations are the dishes people mention most, and the oceanfront setting backs up everything coming out of the kitchen. Good For: Oceanfront East Side dinner, farm to table cuisine, special celebrations Worth Knowing: Closed Sunday and Monday. Reservations recommended, and ask for a table close to the water. Hamura Saimin — Līhuʻe Hamura Saimin opened in 1952 in a converted Army barracks on Kress Street, and it remains the most iconic local food experience on the island. It earned a James Beard Foundation America's Classics Award, one of the highest honors in American food, and the interior has barely changed since the original six stools went in. The broth is a closely guarded family recipe built on shrimp, chicken, pork, and scallops, and the noodles are made at the family's own factory nearby. Order the Special Saimin and do not skip the lilikōʻi chiffon pie. Cash only, counter seating only, and worth every bit of the wait. Good For: A true taste of local Kauaʻi, first or last meal on the island, budget friendly dining Worth Knowing: Cash only. The lilikōʻi chiffon pie is best eaten there, since it does not travel well. Līhuʻe Just minutes from the airport, Līhuʻe is home to one of the island's most talked about resort dinners. Hualani's Restaurant — Līhuʻe (Timbers Kauaʻi) Hualani's sits cliffside at the Timbers Kauaʻi resort, with views over the Haʻupu Mountain Range and the historic Ninini Lighthouse. The restaurant draws on its own organic farm, The Farm at Hōkūala, for a menu that includes a macadamia nut crusted fresh catch and Korean Hawaiian kalbi short ribs. Live Hawaiian music fills most evenings, and the happy hour setting alone is worth the visit, even before the food arrives. Good For: Sunset dinners, anniversaries, oceanfront views near Līhuʻe Worth Knowing: Reservations highly recommended. Go earlier in the evening to catch the sunset over the water. South Shore Poʻipū and the surrounding South Shore hold three of our ten, ranging from the most romantic setting on the island to the most reliable local breakfast. Tidepools — Poʻipū (Grand Hyatt Kauaʻi) Tidepools is one of the most romantic restaurant settings in Hawaii: open air, thatched roof bungalows that feel like they are floating above koi filled lagoons, with torchlight and the sound of waterfalls in the background. The menu is modern Hawaiian cuisine built on local ingredients, including greens from the resort's own hydroponic garden, with macadamia nut crusted fish as the signature dish. This is a special occasion dinner, and the setting alone justifies the reservation. Good For: Anniversaries, proposals, milestone celebrations, resort dining done right Worth Knowing: Book well ahead, especially in winter. The setting is unlike anywhere else on the island. The Beach House — Poʻipū The Beach House is an oceanfront, open air restaurant overlooking Lawaʻi Beach with some of the best sunset views on the island, and a multi-decade winner of Honolulu Magazine's Hale ʻAina Award for Best Restaurant on Kauaʻi. The menu is progressive Pacific Rim cuisine with an Asian influence, built on fish sourced directly from island fishermen and beef from neighboring ranches. The Kauaʻi Beet Salad and macadamia nut butter sautéed fresh catch are signature dishes, and the South Shore sunset is the real headliner. Good For: Sunset dining, romantic dinners, celebrating something special on the South Shore Worth Knowing: Reservations are essential for sunset seating, and should be made well in advance. Ask for a table on the lanai. Kalāheo Café and Coffee Co. — Kalāheo Just inland from the South Shore, Kalāheo Café is a consistent local favorite for breakfast and lunch. Strong coffee, fresh ingredients, and a loco moco that regularly gets named among the best on the island, with rich gravy and a properly seasoned beef patty, are the draw. The vibe is relaxed and unhurried, and the crowds on weekend mornings tell you everything you need to know. Good For: Breakfast, loco moco, an easy local stop on the way to or from Poʻipū Worth Knowing: Weekend mornings get busy and service can slow down. Worth the wait. West Side The West Side does not have many full service restaurants, but the one it has is worth the drive. Wranglers Steakhouse and The Saddle Room — Waimea Wranglers is the West Side's only full service restaurant and a Kauaʻi institution for more than 40 years, set in a historic Western themed building in the heart of Waimea town. Kiawe grilled steaks are the specialty, built on Niʻihau raised lamb and Makaweli Ranch grass fed Kauaʻi beef, alongside fresh fish and a classic salad bar. The Saddle Room next door offers a more casual menu with a stronger cocktail program, for anyone who wants something lighter than a full steak dinner. Good For: West Side dining, steak, pairing dinner with a Waimea Canyon day trip Worth Knowing: Reservations recommended on weekends. The Saddle Room next door has a more relaxed menu and a notable cocktail list if you want something lighter. Which One Should I Pick First? If we had to send you to just one: Hamura Saimin for the full local experience, or Tidepools or The Beach House if you want the postcard version of a Kauaʻi sunset dinner. Either way, you will eat well, and you will not run out of reasons to come back for the other nine. A Note From the Bloss Swapp Collective We live and work on this island, and these ten restaurants represent a genuine cross section of what Kauaʻi has to offer, from a 1952 noodle stand to oceanfront fine dining. If you are exploring what life here actually looks like, we are happy to share more of what we know.

The Short Answer Kauaʻi has seven golf courses spanning four distinct parts of the island. Two consistently rank among the best in Hawaii. Two more deliver a real tournament pedigree. The rest offer everything from budget rounds for under $15 to a private club experience tied directly to real estate ownership. If you are visiting or considering a move to the island, knowing what is on the course menu matters before you book a tee time or a home. We live and work here. Below is what we actually know about each course, written for anyone who wants the real picture and not just the brochure. How Many Golf Courses Does Kauaʻi Have? Seven courses at seven locations. That sounds modest until you look at what they deliver. The island is small, roughly 25 by 33 miles, so no matter where you are staying, you are never far from a round. Here is a quick orientation by location: North Shore (Princeville): Princeville Makai Golf Club East Side (Kapaʻa): Wailua Golf Course | (Līhuʻe): The Ocean Course at Hōkūala, Puakea Golf Course South Shore (Kōloa / Poipu): Poipu Bay Golf Course, Kiahuna Golf Club, The Club at Kukuiʻula [private residential club with access available to Hawaii residents, lodge guests, and limited public tee times] Upcountry (Kalāheo): Kukuiolono Golf Course The Complete Kauaʻi Golf Course Directory Each entry below follows the same format: what the course is, what to expect, how far it sits from Līhuʻe Airport, what it is good for, and one honest note from us. Princeville Makai Golf Club | Princeville, North Shore Type: Resort / Public Holes: 18 Designer: Robert Trent Jones Jr. (1971, renovated 2010) Distance from Līhuʻe Airport: Approximately 45 to 50 minutes The only golf course on Kauaʻi's North Shore, Princeville Makai, sits on a plateau above Hanalei Bay with six oceanfront holes and views of Bali Hai behind Hanalei. This was Robert Trent Jones Jr.'s first solo design, and the 2010 renovation improved the bunkers, turf, and drainage without losing the character of the first layout. Golf Digest has called it one of the Top 100 Greatest Public Courses in America. The signature 7th hole plays from high above crashing waves to a cliff-hugging green and is the kind of hole people describe for years after they play it. Green fees are among the highest on the island, typically $250 and up. Still, the combination of scenery and conditioning makes it one of the two strongest candidates for the best single round on Kauaʻi. Good For: Bucket list rounds, golfers staying on the North Shore, buyers considering Princeville who want to know the community feel before purchasing Worth Knowing: The drive from Poipu takes roughly 90 minutes. If you are based on the South Shore, build your whole day around it. The post-round lanai overlooking the bay is not optional. Wailua Golf Course | Kapaʻa, East Side Type: Municipal / Public Holes: 18 Designer: Originally 9 holes in the 1930s, expanded to 18 Distance from Līhuʻe Airport: Approximately 10 to 15 minutes Wailua is where locals play. This county-run municipal course on the East Side just south of Lydgate State Park delivers oceanfront holes and honest golf at prices that feel almost anachronistic by Kauaʻi resort standards. Golf Digest has listed it among Hawaii's best 15 courses. The course is well maintained for a municipal operation, and the staff is known for being genuinely friendly. Reservations are required now, and walk-ons are no longer accepted, so plan ahead. Green fees are a fraction of the resort options. Good For: Budget-conscious golfers, locals, visitors who want to play where the island community actually plays, anyone who values no-frills authentic over resort polish Worth Knowing: This is the course where Kauaʻi kids learn the game and where island golfers keep their handicap honest. Playing Wailua gives you a different feel for the island than the resort tracks. That matters if you are thinking about living here. The Ocean Course at Hōkūala | Līhuʻe Type: Resort / Public Holes: 18 Designer: Jack Nicklaus Signature Distance from Līhuʻe Airport (LIH): Approximately 5 minutes If you are going to play one resort course on Kauaʻi, most serious golfers will point you here. The Ocean Course at Hōkūala holds the distinction of offering the longest continuous stretch of oceanside golf in Hawaii, more than half a mile hugging the Pacific. The Jack Nicklaus Signature layout was redesigned in 2017 as part of the Hōkūala resort rebranding, and the difference shows in the course's conditioning and playability—the front nine works inland through groves of mango and guava with tight, technical holes. The back nine opens up dramatically along the coast, culminating in a finishing green set inside a 40-acre freshwater lagoon. The 14th and 16th holes along the cliffs are the ones people talk about afterward. Ranked as Hawaii's Best Golf Course by World Golf Awards. Good For: Serious golfers wanting the best single round on the island, visitors staying near Kalapaki Bay or the Royal Sonesta, buyers looking at Hōkūala resort property Worth Knowing: The proximity to the airport is genuinely useful. If you have an afternoon before a flight or just landed and want to play the same day, Hōkūala makes that easy. Green fees run from $200 to $310, depending on timing. Book ahead. Puakea Golf Course | Līhuʻe, East Side Type: Public Holes: 9 (Sports Illustrated Top 10 nine-hole course in the USA) Distance from Līhuʻe Airport: Approximately 10 minutes Puakea sits at the base of Mount Haupu and plays through deep ravines and mountain-fed streams with views of both the ocean and Kauaʻi's interior. Sports Illustrated named it one of the top 10 nine-hole golf courses in the United States. The course is genuinely scenic in a way that feels different from the oceanfront tracks. The fairway grass and greens have drawn consistent praise from regulars. The Puakea Grill inside the clubhouse has its own following and is considered among the better dining values on the island. Good For: Players who want a quick round with serious scenery, East Side visitors, and anyone who underestimates nine holes Worth Knowing: The bunkers have been a known weakness, and renovation has been discussed. Check current conditions before you go. The grill makes a stop worthwhile regardless of how the round goes. Poipu Bay Golf Course | Kōloa, South Shore Type: Resort / Public Holes: 18 Designer: Robert Trent Jones Jr. Distance from Līhuʻe Airport: Approximately 25 to 30 minutes This is the course with the PGA pedigree. Poipu Bay hosted the PGA Grand Slam of Golf from 1994 through 2006, and Tiger Woods won it there seven times, including five in a row. The Robert Trent Jones Jr. design sits on a rolling plateau above the Pacific on the sunny South Shore, framed by Haupu Mountain on one side and the ocean on the other. Six oceanfront holes offer the drama. Ancient Hawaiian heiau and stone walls are woven throughout the course and treated with respect in the design. The back nine raises the stakes with elevation changes and cliffside stretches near Shipwreck Beach. Recent improvements to greens and bunkers have kept the conditioning sharp. If you want to walk fairways where the legends played, this is the course. Good For: Golfers staying in Poipu, history buffs who want the tournament context, buyers looking at Poipu and Kōloa who want a course close by Worth Knowing: Wildlife on and around the course is real. Humpback whales in winter, green sea turtles, Hawaiian monk seals, and Nene geese are genuine distractions here. A bad swing feels easier to forgive with that view. Kiahuna Golf Club | Poipu, South Shore Type: Public Holes: 18 Designer: Robert Trent Jones Jr. Distance from Līhuʻe Airport: Approximately 25 minutes Kiahuna is Poipu's more accessible option, sitting right in the heart of the resort area near the Grand Hyatt Kauai. Also designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr., this 18-hole course winds through lush tropical landscape, lava rock formations, and the remains of an ancient Hawaiian village, which Jones intentionally and respectfully incorporated into the design. The course plays at a more relaxed pace than Poipu Bay and generally runs in the $100-$115 range, making it a legitimate value compared to the resort courses. The fairways are wide enough for golfers of varying skill levels, and the mountain and ocean views are constant. Good For: Families or mixed-skill groups, repeat visitors who want a low-pressure round, golfers staying in Poipu who want something close and affordable Worth Knowing: Kiahuna is often the overlooked course in Poipu because Poipu Bay gets the marquee attention. That works in your favor. Tee times are more available, and the vibe is genuinely relaxed. The Club at Kukuiʻula | Kōloa, South Shore Type: Private (Hawaii residents, lodge guests, and limited public tee times) Holes: 18 Designer: Tom Weiskopf Distance from Līhuʻe Airport: Approximately 25 minutes This one operates differently from every other course on the list. The Club at Kukuiʻula is a private residential community where golf membership comes with property ownership, but it is not completely closed to outsiders. Hawaii residents can play during designated tee times, lodge guests staying at the property can book rounds for around $315, and a limited number of public tee times are available as well. Tom Weiskopf designed the 7,028-yard par-72 course through coffee fields, meadows, and rolling hillsides with panoramic ocean views on nearly every hole. Golf Digest called it one of the best courses in Hawaii. The 14th hole, a par-4 with dramatic ocean views and occasional spinner dolphins in the water below, is considered Weiskopf's signature achievement on the course. Good For: Buyers seriously considering Kukuiʻula real estate, lodge guests doing a weekend stay to test the lifestyle, golfers who want to experience a private club course, and can book one of the available public tee times Worth Knowing: If you are a buyer evaluating Kukuiʻula as a real estate investment, the golf course is part of the conversation. The community is built around it. We can walk you through what ownership looks like and what the market currently shows for available homes and homesites. Kukuiolono Golf Course | Kalāheo, Upcountry Type: Public (voluntary green fee donation) Holes: 9 Distance from Līhuʻe Airport: Approximately 20 to 25 minutes Kukuiolono is one of those places that doesn't advertise but stays full on word of mouth. The ninth-oldest course in Hawaii, built in 1928, this hilltop nine-holer in Kalāheo was bequeathed to the public by Walter McBryde, a local sugar plantation owner, and has operated as a community course ever since. Green fees are essentially a voluntary donation in the range of $9 to $15, making it the most affordable golf on the island by a significant margin. The driving range, where range balls arrive in an old coffee can, overlooks the ocean and has been called one of the most scenic places in the world to warm up. A Japanese garden sits within the fairways near the 8th tee, and ancient Hawaiian rock structures appear near the 3rd green. The course plays tight with mountain and ocean views from every hole. Good For: Anyone who wants a no-pretense round with extraordinary scenery, families introducing kids to golf, golfers who want to play where the island's history is baked into the layout Worth Knowing: This course is a 1928 public bequest from a sugar baron who wanted the land to belong to the people of Kauaʻi. That origin story is real, and it shows in the experience. Bring cash. Bring patience. Bring an appreciation for something that has no interest in impressing you and does anyway. What Golf Courses Tell You About Kauaʻi Real Estate For buyers looking at Kauaʻi, the golf course nearest a property is often a clue about what that community looks like. Here is what we see in practice: Princeville buyers tend to be North Shore-committed. The remoteness is the point. Makai Golf Club is the anchor of that lifestyle. Poipu and Kōloa buyers often weigh the South Shore's year-round sunshine together with proximity to both Poipu Bay and Kiahuna. The Club at Kukuiʻula is in a category of its own. Buying there means joining the community, not just acquiring property. East Side buyers get Wailua and Puakea close by and Hōkūala within easy reach. The East Side also tends to offer more price-accessible entry points into the Kauaʻi market. Kalāheo and upcountry buyers get Kukuiolono in their backyard, solid value, and a very different pace from the resort corridor. None of this is a ranking of neighborhoods. It is just context. Golf courses tend to anchor communities in ways that reveal a lot about who lives there and what daily life looks like. Questions We Hear Most Are all Kauaʻi golf courses open to the public? Nearly all of them. The Club at Kukuiʻula operates primarily as a private residential community, with members getting full access tied to property ownership. That said, Hawaii residents can play during designated tee times, lodge guests can book rounds, and a limited number of public tee times are also available. It is not fully open, but it is not completely off limits either. Every other course on the island accepts public tee times without restriction. What is the most expensive course on Kauaʻi? Princeville Makai and The Ocean Course at Hōkūala regularly top the list, with green fees ranging from around $250 to $310 or more, depending on timing and season. The Club at Kukuiʻula charges lodge guests in the $315 range. Kukuiolono, at the other end, operates on a donation basis. When is the best time of year to golf on Kauaʻi? The honest answer is that Kauaʻi has playable weather most of the year. April through September tends to be drier, especially on the South Shore and East Side. The North Shore sees more rain year-round because of the mountains. Winter brings humpback whales visible from the oceanfront holes, which is its own kind of bonus. Can I walk the courses, or is a cart required? It depends on the course. Wailua and Kukuiolono are particularly walker-friendly. Most resort courses offer cart options, and some require them during peak hours. Call ahead or check the course website before you book. We Know This Island If you are exploring what owning property on a golf course would look like, we are happy to have that conversation.

The Best Beaches on Kauaʻi: A Local Realtor’s Honest Guide The short answer: Kauaʻi has more than 60 miles of coastline and dozens of beaches worth knowing about. After more than two decades living and working here we’ve narrowed it down to the ones we recommend most, organized by region so you can plan your time on the island the way locals actually think about it. If you’ve ever searched “best beaches on Kauaʻi” and landed on a list that appeared like it could have been written by someone who visited once for a week, this is the alternative. These are the beaches we take our own family to, the ones we tell our clients about on their first call, and the ones that keep us grateful every single day that we get to call this island home. North Shore The North Shore is Kauaʻi at its most dramatic. Tall mountains, green valleys, winding roads, and some of the most stunning coastline in the world. It’s also the wettest and most remote part of the island, which keeps the crowds manageable and the scenery unspoiled. Summer months deliver calm water and ideal conditions for swimming and snorkeling. Winter swells can make the ocean dangerous even for experienced swimmers, so always check conditions before you get in. Keʻe Beach Sitting at the very end of the road on Kauaʻi’s North Shore, Keʻe Beach marks the start of the legendary Nā Pali Coast. The reef-protected lagoon offers calm, clear water ideal for snorkeling when conditions allow, and the setting, framed by imposing cliffs and lush jungle, is unlike anywhere else on the island. From Līhuʻe Airport: Approximately 75 minutes by car. Good For: Snorkeling, swimming (summer), sunset watching, photography, Nā Pali Coast access Worth Knowing: Before you arrive, you will need to make reservations at goheana.com. There are no exceptions. Even when we bring visiting family, they need their own reservation, even if they are riding with us.   Hanalei Bay Stretching nearly two miles across Kauaʻi’s North Shore, Hanalei Bay combines breathtaking mountain scenery with a wide crescent of golden sand. During summer months, calmer waters attract swimmers and paddleboarders, while winter brings larger surf and dramatic coastal views. The town of Hanaleī sits steps away with restaurants, shops, and that unhurried small town feeling that makes the North Shore so hard to leave. From Līhuʻe Airport: Approximately 55 minutes by car. Good For: Swimming, surfing, bodyboarding, paddleboarding, long beach walks, sunsets, whale watching (winter) Worth Knowing: Hanalei Bay is one of those places that stops people in their tracks the first time they see it. We’ve watched more than a few clients make their decision to move to Kauaʻi standing right here. Park near the pier for the best access and the best views. East Side The East Side is where most of Kauaʻi’s residents actually live. Kapaʻa, Keālia, and the area surrounding Līhuʻe make up the core of the island’s local community. The beaches here are less postcard-perfect than the North or South Shore, but they have a genuine local energy that visitors rarely experience, and they are significantly more convenient if you are thinking about actually living here. Keālia Beach Keālia is a long open stretch of golden sand just north of Kapaʻa that locals love, and most visitors drive right past. The beach faces open ocean, which means consistent surf and a lively shore break, making it the favored spot for bodyboarders and surfers and one of the better spots on the East Side for a long beach walk. The Ke Ala Hele Makalae coastal bike and pedestrian path runs directly alongside it, connecting Keālia to Lydgate to the south and offering one of the best beachside rides on the island. From Līhuʻe Airport: Approximately 15 minutes by car. Good For: Bodyboarding, surfing, beach walking, cycling the coastal path, sunsets, photography Worth Knowing: My wife claims this as her beach, and candidly, we don’t argue with her. Easy access, plenty of parking, and you will often find us here with our dog Ralphie.   Lydgate Beach Park Lydgate is Kauaʻi’s most protected swimming beach, with two lava rock enclosed ocean pools that create a completely calm environment regardless of ocean conditions. It’s the single most reliable spot on the island for young children and non-swimmers to get in the water safely. The park also features a large playground, picnic pavilions, and a paved path connecting to the Ke Ala Hele Makalae coastal trail. From Līhuʻe Airport: Approximately 10 minutes by car. Good For: Swimming, snorkeling, picnics, family outings, walking, and biking the coastal path Worth Knowing: Lydgate is more than a beach. There’s camping and a playground, and the whole area spans a large footprint. If you have little ones, the protected keiki pool here is the best on the island, with restrooms right there.   Kalapakī Beach Kalapakī sits inside Nāwiliwili Bay and is the only true resort beach on the East Side, fronting the Sonesta. The protected bay setting makes it one of the calmer swimming spots on this side of the island and a popular learning spot for surfing and bodyboarding. The nearby harbor, restaurants, and Anchor Cove shopping make it easy to fill an entire afternoon. From Līhuʻe Airport: Approximately 5 minutes by car. Good For: Swimming, surfing lessons, bodyboarding, stand-up paddleboarding, casual beach days Worth Knowing: The best stretch is on the far side in front of the Sonesta. Turn off the highway toward the hotel, drive past it, and look for the beach access sign on your right. That’s where we always park. South Shore The South Shore is Kauaʻi’s sunniest and most reliably beautiful stretch of coastline. When it’s raining on the North Shore or the East Side, the South Shore is almost always clear. Poʻipū is the anchor of this region and for good reason, but there is more here than most visitors ever discover.   Shipwreck’s Beach Shipwreck’s sits in front of the Grand Hyatt in Poʻipū and has a completely different energy than its neighbor, Poʻipū Beach. The open shore break and stronger surf make it a choice place for bodyboarders, experienced surfers, and the cliff-jumping crowd at Mākawehi Point. It’s also a long, wide stretch of sand that’s great for walking, even when the water is too rough to swim. From Līhuʻe Airport: Approximately 35 minutes by car. Good For: Bodyboarding, surfing, cliff jumping, beach walking, whale watching (winter), photography Worth Knowing: Shipwrecks and Poʻipū are minutes apart, but still feel like entirely different beaches. After hiking the Māhaʻulepu Heritage Trail, this is always our first stop to cool off.   Poʻipū Beach Often considered Kauaʻi’s most family-friendly beach, Poʻipū offers a protected swimming area, snorkeling opportunities, picnic facilities, and frequent sightings of Hawaiian monk seals. The sunny South Shore location makes it one of the island’s most reliable beach destinations throughout the year. Brennecke’s Beach sits directly next door for anyone in your group who wants more wave action. From Līhuʻe Airport: Approximately 30 minutes by car. Good For: Swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing, sunsets, picnics Worth Knowing: Parking fills up fast, especially when it’s raining on other parts of the island, since everyone heads South. After a beach day, we almost always end up at Brennecke’s for a bite, which is right next door. West Side The West Side is the road less traveled on Kauaʻi, and that is exactly the point. Fewer tourists, wider open spaces, and some of the most dramatic end-of-the-road scenery on the island. If you want to understand the full scale of Kauaʻi, this is where you go. Queen’s Pond / Polihale State Park Polihale is as remote as Kauaʻi gets, sitting at the end of a long dirt road at the base of the Nā Pali Coast cliffs. Queen’s Pond is the only area where swimming is reasonably safe, and only in calm summer conditions. This is not a beach you stumble onto. You make a decision to go, and the payoff is one of the most dramatic and untouched settings on the island. From Līhuʻe Airport: Approximately 60 minutes by car, including dirt road access. Good For: Sunset watching, photography, off-the-beaten-path exploration, camping, experiencing true Kauaʻi remoteness Worth Knowing: This is truly my happy place, but it’s a commitment. You need a truck or SUV. The dirt road is rarely maintained, and most rental car agreements prohibit it, so check before you go. Do not drive on the beach; the sand is soft, and you will get stuck. And please respect the land. There is deep Hawaiian history here. A Final Note From Us Every beach on this list has a story attached to it for us personally. That’s not an accident. When clients ask what it feels like to actually live on Kauaʻi, we don’t pull up a brochure. We talk about Ralphie running down Keālia, watching the sunset from Polihale, and, one day, taking the grandkids to the keiki pool at Lydgate. If you’re thinking seriously about what life could look like on this island, we’d love to have that conversation. Not a sales pitch, just two people who live here and love it talking honestly about whether it might be right for you too.

BY: Greg Bloss | 1031 Exchange | Jul 14, 2026 Don't sell your investment property until you do the math. A 1031 Exchange is a powerful tool for real estate investors, but it is often misunderstood. It gets its name from Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code and lets you sell an investment or income property and put off paying capital gains taxes by reinvesting the money into a similar property. The important thing to remember is that you are deferring taxes, not avoiding them. In real estate, though, time is money, and keeping your capital invested instead of sending it to the IRS can make a big difference in your long-term wealth. This strategy helps sellers on Kauai who want to exchange into another property, whether that new property is on the island or on the mainland. It also works for buyers bringing 1031 funds from a sale elsewhere and looking to invest in Hawaii. It is important to understand how the numbers work before you make any decisions. How Your Capital Gain Is Actually Calculated This is where many people are surprised. You can sell a property, see little cash profit, and still owe a lot in capital gains tax. That is because your taxable gain is not based on what you take home. Instead, it is the difference between your adjusted basis and your sale price, minus your closing costs. Your adjusted basis is what you paid for the property, plus any improvements you made, minus the depreciation you have claimed over the years. The depreciation deduction lowers your taxable income each year you own a rental, but when you sell, it reduces your basis and increases your taxable gain. The IRS calls this depreciation recapture, and it is taxed at a flat federal rate of 25%. Step 1 — Calculate Your Adjusted Basis Adjusted Basis Calculation Example Original Purchase Price $400,000 Plus Capital Improvements + $50,000 Minus Depreciation Taken - $200,000 = Adjusted Basis $250,000   Step 2 — Calculate Your Capital Gain Capital Gain Calculation Example Sale Price $1,000,000 Minus Exchange Expenses (commission, fees, taxes) - $55,000 Minus Adjusted Basis - $250,000 = Capital Gain $695,000   Step 3 — Estimate Your Tax Bill Without an Exchange Tax Calculation Example Depreciation Recapture Tax ($200,000 x 25%) $50,000 Federal Long-Term Capital Gains Tax ($495,000 x 15%) $74,250 Hawaii State Capital Gains Tax ($695,000 x 7.25%) $50,388 Net Investment Income Tax — if applicable ($695,000 x 3.8%) $26,410 = Estimated Combined Tax Due ~$201,048   A Note on Tax Rates (General Reference — 2025/2026) Federal long-term capital gains: 0%, 15%, or 20% depending on your taxable income. The 20% rate applies to single filers above $533,401 and married filers above $600,051. Depreciation recapture: flat 25% federal rate. Hawaii long-term capital gains: flat 7.25% state rate. Net Investment Income Tax (NIIT): 3.8% surtax for single filers with AGI above $200,000 or married filers above $250,000. The example above uses the 15% federal rate. Your actual rate depends on your income. Consult your CPA or tax advisor for figures specific to your situation. * See disclaimer below Achieving Full Tax Deferral To fully defer both federal and Hawaii capital gains taxes, you need to reinvest all of your exchange proceeds. You must also take on equal or greater debt in the replacement property or add extra cash to cover any difference. If you only reinvest part of the proceeds, the IRS calls the leftover amount "boot," and that portion becomes taxable right away. Relinquished Property — What You Are Selling Sale Calculation Example Sale Price $1,000,000 Minus Existing Loan - $500,000 Minus Exchange Expenses - $55,000 = Net Proceeds (Cash to Reinvest) $445,000   Replacement Property — What You Are Buying Purchase Calculation Example Purchase Price $1,100,000 Minus New Loan - $655,000 = Minimum Down Payment Required $445,000   Your minimum down payment on the replacement property must be at least as much as the net proceeds from your sale. In this example, both amounts are $445,000, which means you have a fully deferred exchange. If you put in less, the difference is considered taxable boot. The Rules You Must Follow You cannot decide to do a 1031 Exchange after closing. The setup must be ready before you get any sale proceeds, and the IRS has strict deadlines that apply no matter what is happening in the market or on the calendar. Critical Timelines 45 Days — From the closing of your relinquished property, you have 45 calendar days to formally identify your replacement property in writing. No exceptions. 180 Days — You must close on the replacement property within 180 calendar days of your sale. Qualified Intermediary — A QI must hold your sale proceeds throughout the process. You cannot touch the funds. If you do, the exchange is disqualified. Like-Kind Requirement — Any U.S. investment real property qualifies as like-kind to any other U.S. investment real property. A Kauai rental for mainland commercial? That works. Equal or Greater Value — To fully defer taxes, the replacement property must be of equal or greater value than the property you sold. The Reverse Exchange — Buy First, Sell Later A standard 1031 Exchange follows a simple order: you sell first, the proceeds go to a Qualified Intermediary, and then you have 45 days to identify your replacement property and 180 days to close. This works well if you have plenty of time. In a competitive market like Kauai, though, you often do not. A Reverse Exchange changes the order completely. You buy the replacement property first and sell your current property afterward, still following the 1031 rules and still deferring your capital gains. For buyers coming to Kauai with exchange funds who find the right property before their sale closes, or for Kauai owners who find their next property before selling their current one, a Reverse Exchange can mean the difference between closing a deal and missing out. How It Works — The Parking Structure Because IRS rules do not allow you to hold title to both the relinquished and replacement property simultaneously during an exchange, a Reverse Exchange uses a parking arrangement governed by IRS Revenue Procedure 2000-37. Here is how it works: a specially created entity called an Exchange Accommodation Titleholder, or EAT, takes legal title to one of the properties for you while the exchange is in progress. The EAT is usually a single-member LLC set up by your Qualified Intermediary. It holds the title only for a short time. You still control and benefit from the property during this period, but this legal separation is what lets the IRS recognize the transaction as a valid exchange. Two Structures — Which One Applies to You Structure 1 — Park the Replacement Property (Most Common) You find the property you want to buy before your current property sells. The EAT acquires the replacement property and holds title. You work to sell your existing property within 180 days. When your sale closes, the EAT transfers the replacement property to you and the exchange is complete. Best for: Buyers coming into Kauai, or Kauai owners who find their next property before their current one sells. Structure 2 — Park the Relinquished Property (Less Common) The EAT takes title to your existing property first. You acquire the replacement property directly. The EAT then sells your existing property to the end buyer. Best for: Situations involving specific financing structures or where improvements are being made to the relinquished property. The Critical Deadlines — Same Clock, Different Start The 45-day and 180-day rules still apply in a Reverse Exchange, but the timing is different. In a standard exchange, the clock starts when you close on the sale of your old property. In a Reverse Exchange, it starts when the EAT takes ownership of the parked property. Reverse Exchange Timeline Day 0 — EAT takes title to the parked property. The clock starts. Days 1 to 45 — You must formally identify the relinquished property in writing. Days 1 to 180 — The full exchange must be completed. The parked property must be transferred (sold or conveyed to you) within this window. Within 5 Business Days of Day 0 — The Qualified Exchange Accommodation Arrangement (QEAA) must be fully signed and in place. Missing this deadline forfeits the safe harbor. Missing either the 45-day or 180-day deadline disqualifies the exchange. The full gain becomes taxable immediately. There are no extensions. What a Reverse Exchange Actually Costs Reverse Exchanges are more complicated and cost more than standard exchanges. It is important to understand the costs before you start. Typical Cost Component Estimated Range Qualified Intermediary Fee $1,500 to $3,500 EAT Setup and Holding Fees $3,000 to $7,500 Legal Fees $1,500 to $3,000 Title and Recording Fees $500 to $1,500 Bridge Financing (if needed) 8% to 12% annually Total (excluding bridge financing) $6,500 to $15,500+   Bridge financing is often the biggest factor. Since you are buying before you sell, you need money to close on the replacement property before you get your equity from the sale. Depending on your situation, this could mean a bridge loan, using existing credit, or other short-term financing. Lenders who do not know EAT structures can slow things down, so it is important to work with professionals who have experience with both the legal and lending sides. When a Reverse Exchange Makes Sense A Reverse Exchange is a good choice when the extra complexity costs less than losing the deal or paying the tax. Because selling a Kauai investment property can create a large capital gains tax, the numbers often make the exchange structure the better option. Strong Candidates for a Reverse Exchange You have found the right replacement property and cannot risk losing it while you wait for your current property to sell. You are coming into Kauai with exchange funds from a mainland sale that has not yet closed. Your relinquished property is difficult to time — tenant leases, permitting, or market conditions make the sale date unpredictable. The capital gains tax you would pay without the exchange is significant enough to justify the additional cost and complexity — which on a $1M-plus Kauai property, it almost always is. Let's Talk Through Your Numbers The numbers here are meant to give you a basic framework, not an exact tax bill. Every exchange is unique, and your numbers are what matter most. What we can say is that Kauai real estate moves quickly, values are strong, and the capital gains tax on an investment property you have owned for any time is usually significant. Whether you are selling here and buying elsewhere, buying here with funds from a mainland sale, or trying to act on an opportunity before your current property is ready to close, knowing your options before you start is what makes the difference between a smart move and an expensive one. We have handled 1031 situations in all of these scenarios and are happy to talk with you about your numbers and what makes sense for your situation. * Disclaimer Greg Bloss and Monica Swapp are licensed real estate professionals, not attorneys or CPAs. The information on this page is provided for general educational purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, or financial advice. Tax laws change; rates vary based on individual circumstances, and the examples shown use general assumptions that may not reflect your specific situation. Before making any decisions related to a 1031 Exchange, please consult a qualified tax advisor, CPA, or attorney. Greg Bloss and Monica Swapp | Bloss Swapp Collective | The Agency From Mauka to Makai   ABOUT THE AUTHOR Greg Bloss About Greg Living on Kauai since 2003 after relocating from Colorado, Greg has been involved in hundreds of real estate transactions. Phone: | Social Media: Facebook, Twiiter, Linkedin, Youtube, Instagram, Pinterest

BY: Greg Bloss | What Is Leasehold | Jul 14, 2026 The short answer: Leasehold property means you own the home but not the land it sits on. Whether that's a problem depends entirely on the details and on how long you plan to stay. If you've been searching for property on Kauai and noticed some listings priced noticeably lower than comparable homes, there's a good chance you're looking at leasehold. It's one of the first things we explain to mainland buyers because it catches nearly everyone off guard and making an offer without understanding it can be a costly mistake. What Exactly Is Leasehold? In a leasehold transaction, you are purchasing the structure, the house, the condo, whatever sits on the land, but the land itself belongs to someone else. The landowner is called the lessor, and you, as the buyer, become the lessee. You pay a monthly lease rent to the landowner in addition to your mortgage, property taxes, and any HOA fees. On Kauai and throughout Hawaii, many of these leases are held by large estate trusts, family trusts, or, in some cases, the state or federal government. The history behind it goes back generations and is deeply tied to how land was originally divided across the islands. What Is a Lease Expiration and Why Does It Matter? Every leasehold property has an expiration date on the ground lease. This is where buyers need to pay close attention. If a lease has 60 or more years remaining it functions much more like fee simple ownership for most practical purposes. Financing is generally available, the property holds value reasonably well, and you have time on your side. If a lease has fewer than 30 years remaining the picture changes significantly. Many lenders will not finance a leasehold property with a short remaining term, which means your buyer pool shrinks dramatically when it comes time to sell. The property may also lose value as the expiration approaches. We always pull the lease documents and the remaining term before we let a client get attached to any leasehold listing. That number changes everything. What Is Lease Rent and Can It Change? Yes, and this is the part that surprises people most. Lease rent is not fixed forever. Most ground leases include renegotiation periods, sometimes every 10 or 15 years, where the landowner can reset the lease rent based on current land values. In some cases, those renegotiations have resulted in dramatic increases that made properties significantly less affordable overnight. Before writing an offer on any leasehold property, you want to know exactly when the next renegotiation is scheduled and what the terms look like. What Is Fee Simple and How Is It Different? Fee simple means you own both the home and the land beneath it outright: no ground lease, no lease rent, no expiration date, no landowner renegotiating terms. For most buyers, especially those purchasing a primary residence or a long-term investment, fee simple is the cleaner, safer option. When inventory is tight on Kauai, which it often is, leasehold properties can look attractive simply because of the lower price point. We understand that. But the price difference needs to be weighed carefully against the full picture of ongoing costs and long-term risk. So, Should You Buy a Leasehold Property on Kauai? It depends on three things: the remaining lease term, the lease rent and renegotiation schedule, and your own timeline and goals. For the right buyer, a leasehold property with a long remaining term and stable lease rent can make absolute sense, especially as a vacation property or a shorter-term hold. For a buyer planning to put down roots, raise a family, or build long-term equity, fee simple is almost always the better path. This is exactly the kind of conversation we have with every buyer before they start seriously looking. The last thing we want is for someone to fall in love with a property and then discover on page three of the lease documents that there's a renegotiation coming in two years. If you have questions about a specific listing or want to understand how leasehold versus fee simple should factor into your search on Kauai, we're happy to talk it through. No pressure, just a straight conversation. Greg Bloss and Monica Swapp Bloss Swapp Collective ABOUT THE AUTHOR Greg Bloss About Greg Living on Kauai since 2003 after relocating from Colorado, Greg has been involved in hundreds of real estate transactions. Phone: | Social Media: Facebook, Twiiter, Linkedin, Youtube, Instagram, Pinterest